Events in Venice
From Jesolo getting to Venice is really very simple, fast and organised. This allows tourists to enrich their stay with the possibility of participating in the numerous cultural events, historical re-enactments, shows and entertainment that the lagoon city offers throughout the year, with one-day visits.
Feast of the Redeemer
The traditional feast of the Redeemer takes place every year on the third Sunday of July. It is a religious celebration that over the years has also taken on such an important cultural and historical value that it has become an incredible tourist attraction, with celebrations starting as early as Saturday afternoon. St Mark’s basin and the Giudecca Canal are transformed into platforms on the water of boats of various sizes that flank each other and prepare a dinner of traditional Venetian dishes, to be eaten with friends on the individual boats. From 11.30 pm the fantastic fireworks display illuminates the entire lagoon city with its thousands of colours and shapes. On Sunday there is a religious procession across the votive bridge of boats, built for the occasion, to connect the Redentore church with Venice and allow Venetians to go and pay homage to the Redentore. It ends with a gondola regatta. Historical background: The festival celebrates the extinction of the plague that struck Venice from 1575 to 1577, decimating almost a third of its inhabitants. On 4 September 1576, the Senate decided that the Doge should have a church built in honour of the Redeemer to end the scourge of the plague, with the promise that the city would honour the church every year. The church was built to a design by Palladio on the island of Giudecca. For those who wish to experience it by boat, there is the possibility of booking a boat trip departing from Punta Sabbioni
Venice Carnival
An unmissable appointment to relive the city’s most evocative and majestic historical period, that of the Republic of the Serenissima. Venice becomes a great open-air stage where Venetians, but also tourists themselves, dress up as ladies of the 18th century, noble lords of the time, servants and butlers, innkeepers, masks from the commedia dell’Arte and wander around the city’s calli and cafés reenacting a time that seems never to have passed. During the fifteen-day celebration, many parties are organised in Venice’s sumptuous palaces, theatres and squares. You can find out everything in detail on the official website: www.carnevale.venezia.it
New Year’s Eve in Venice
New Year’s Eve in Venice is all about celebrating in St Mark’s Square, set up every year with a new theme that defines its colours and light decorations. Music, aerial acrobats, toasts and a fireworks display over St Mark’s Bay are the ingredients of New Year’s Eve in the lagoon par excellence. Many historic palaces and theatres host private masquerade parties that can be attended by booking in advance.
Venice International Film Festival
An unmissable event for lovers of cinema but also of international glamour. Now in its 70th edition in 2013, the Venice Film Festival takes place on the Venice Lido for ten days, during which many international films, shorts and documentaries selected by industry experts can be seen in world premiere. Every year, on the Venetian red carpet, big stars from Hollywood and the world’s major film industries have their photographs taken and present their latest works. Celebrities such as Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Cameron Diaz, George Clooney, Robert Redford, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman and many others have attended the Festival. Of course, there is no shortage of opportunities to meet one’s favourite actors and directors, thanks to the parties that are organised, but above all to the Lido beach and its numerous snack bars where celebrities often spend part of their days.
Casinò di Venezia
The historic and fascinating site of the Venice Casino is Cà Vendramin Calergi where one can participate, only if over 18 years of age, in classic games. French roulette, fair roulette, chemin de fer, midi trente et quarante, black jack, caribbean poker, punto bianco and slot machines. Access is exclusive and elegant evening wear is required to enter; for men, a jacket is a must. You can enter directly from the Grand Canal arriving by taxi, gondola or small boats at the palace’s dock, which is lit up all over the façade. A venue on the mainland, near the Marco Polo airport, was also opened a few years ago. This is the Cà Noghera Casino, the first American-style casino opened in Italy, with a new poker room dedicated to Texas hold’em Poker tournaments.
How to reach Venice
You can reach the wonderful city on the water from Punta Sabbioni, which is a quarter of an hour’s drive from Jesolo, and take the direct ferry to Venice with disembarkation in St Mark’s Square. Alternatively, you can choose to drive directly to Venice, parking in Piazzale Roma and then continue on foot or by waterbus.
